SiGe Semiconductor in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada has announced a 5 GHz power amplifier module for access points, PCMCIA cards, laptop computers and other client devices compliant to the 802.11a WLAN standard. The RangeCharger(TM) SE2534A is based on SiGe's integrated, high-performance power amplifier architecture, and delivers a solution that simplifies design and reduces cost of next-generation WLAN systems.

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It incorporates a linear three-stage power amplifier, power detector, analog biasing and interstage matching circuitry into a matched 5 mm x 5 mm chip-scale module. The SE2534A is supplied in an industry-standard LGA package that is pin-to-pin compatible with alternative 802.11a power amplifiers. The high integration of the SE2534A allows manufacturers to quickly realize savings by using the SE2534A as a drop-in replacement in their cost-reduction re-designs.

"Our new power amplifier is generating significant interest among Wi-Fi system manufacturers, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region," said Andrew Parolin, director of wireless power amplifiers at SiGe Semiconductor Inc. "Many of these manufacturers are using SiGe's 2.4GHz power amplifiers for the 802.11b/g RF chains in their dual-band solutions. The addition of the SE2534A to SiGe's existing 5GHz product line means manufacturers can easily migrate their 5GHz RF chains to our solution, without a board layout change."

The SE2534A offers high linear power, and is capable of +17.5 dBm output power with an error vector magnitude (EVM) of less than 3%. With industry-leading EVM, the SE2534A improves packet error rates for optimal data throughput and transmission range. This ensures that Wi-Fi products can maintain reliable, high-performance connections over longer distances.

The SE2534A further improves performance with an integrated power detector that solves the challenges associated with OFDM signals. The power detector adjusts the operating point to accommodate the peak-to-average power ratio, and reduces power consumption accordingly, thus saving power while maintaining performance. Consuming just 160 mA for +17.5 dBm output power, the SE2534A is ideal for WLAN applications.

The RangeCharger SE2534A is the latest addition to SiGe's series of power amplifiers and RF front-end modules for WLAN systems. The device compliments SiGe Semiconductor's proven 2.4 GHz power amplifiers for 802.11b/g systems to improve the performance and range in dual-band, multimode Wi-Fi products.

The SE2534A is available now, and is priced at U.S. $1.93 in quantities of 100k units. The RF front-end is supplied in a 10-pin LGA package that measures 5 mm x 5 mm x 1.4 mm. www.sige.com.